http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/news/2005/feb/einclusion_fr.html is the Commission website from which it is possible to download the EU Report on ‘e-inclusion’, or the real degree of access to and use of the internet by the EU population. The statistical survey shows the numerical divide in access to the new information technologies: the personal computer is not used because too expensive (29%), because internet connection is too expensive (26%), or merely due to lack of time (10%). In particular the survey shows that wealth and hence the economic possibility of purchasing a computer still represents a factor of discrimination: compared with a European average of internet users equivalent to 41%, countries such as Sweden and Denmark exceed 70%, while Greece and Portugal lag far behind with only 22% and 21%. On average in the 15-member EU, 12% of pensioners, 25% of housewives and 38% of the unemployed surf the net: these percentages drop considerably in the 25-member EU. The number of the over-55-year-olds using the internet is increasing (17%). As regards the reasons linked to the use of the internet, 32% of Europeans use it to contact family and friends, 27% to obtain information linked to tourism or other services, 24% to inform themselves through the media, 23% to gain access to education and training, 22% for electronic trading, 22% for needs of work and only 20% for games and entertainment. ———————————————————————————————————– Sir Europa (English) N.ro assoluto : 1365 N.ro relativo : 14 Data pubblicazione : 23/02/2005
